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Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

W530/W540/W541/W550 Series
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marlinspike
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Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#1 Post by marlinspike » Fri May 25, 2018 7:23 pm

I see conflicting posts. Once and for all, is there a difference in the feel of the keys on the backlit and non backlit keyboards on the W530?
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#2 Post by Cigarguy » Fri May 25, 2018 7:29 pm

To me "no" while I'm sure others will say "yes". You are asking how something "feel". Impossible for me to say how something feels for you.

It really is hard to provide an answer as it is subjective. Similar to whisky, cigars, ice, and a billion+ other thing it's personal preference. Only way to know YOUR personal preference is to use/do it for a while and find out what works for you. If it works for you it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

With subject such as this one there will NEVER be a definitive once and for all.

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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#3 Post by marlinspike » Fri May 25, 2018 7:31 pm

Well, the question I'm asking is not that subjective. I don't mean the feel in pressing the keys. I mean the feel of the keys themselves. Is one textured like the old keyboards and the other not, or are they the same in that regard?
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#4 Post by Cigarguy » Fri May 25, 2018 7:36 pm

Try it and find out. As I said to me, it "feels" no different.

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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#5 Post by ThinkTwinki » Fri May 25, 2018 10:39 pm

There's a noticeable difference (although there's more than just "backlit vs non backlit," since there's different manufacturers).

I really like the non-backlit keyboard. It feels like a step up from the classic "clown keys" keyboard.

The classic keyboard is a joy to type on. There's virtually no travel and I can keep my wrists on the palm-rest, while maintaining a high WPM count and comfort. But they're clown keys. They jiggle and wiggle and I feel like one of them's gonna spring out of it's socket and launch into my face, like a clown with a spring-loaded pie.

Wait that's an aside.

If you've ever tried a "modern" laptop with chiclet keys, the backlit board is closer to that, while the non-backlit board is closer to the classic keyboard.

The backlit keys feel cheap. I find myself accidentally key-pressing upon travel, because of the too soft mechanism.

And I just noticed you were talking about the more modern keyboards, not the W530. Darn sleep deprivation.

Anyway, yeah the backlit keys usually aren't too great. Their keycaps and mechanisms are thinner and more fragile than their non-backlit counterparts.

Edit: Dang again. You were asking about the keycaps themselves. Yes, they're made from a different polymer so light can pass through.

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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#6 Post by marlinspike » Fri May 25, 2018 10:50 pm

ThinkTwinki wrote:
Fri May 25, 2018 10:39 pm
There's a noticeable difference (although there's more than just "backlit vs non backlit," since there's different manufacturers).

I really like the non-backlit keyboard. It feels like a step up from the classic "clown keys" keyboard.

The classic keyboard is a joy to type on. There's virtually no travel and I can keep my wrists on the palm-rest, while maintaining a high WPM count and comfort. But they're clown keys. They jiggle and wiggle and I feel like one of them's gonna spring out of it's socket and launch into my face, like a clown with a spring-loaded pie.

Wait that's an aside.

If you've ever tried a "modern" laptop with chiclet keys, the backlit board is closer to that, while the non-backlit board is closer to the classic keyboard.

The backlit keys feel cheap. I find myself accidentally key-pressing upon travel, because of the too soft mechanism.

And I just noticed you were talking about the more modern keyboards, not the W530. [censored] sleep deprivation.

Anyway, yeah the backlit keys usually aren't too great. Their keycaps and mechanisms are thinner and more fragile than their non-backlit counterparts.

Edit: Dang again. You were asking about the keycaps themselves. Yes, they're made from a different polymer so light can pass through.
You were right about me asking about the W530 though, so very helpful post.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#7 Post by ac427 » Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:21 am

I've just come across this post and never thought there was a difference in feel.

I have a W530 for which i purchased a new backlit keyboard for, i also have an X230 with a non backlit keyboard.

I use both laptops pretty regularly and cannot remember thinking there was any real tactile difference.

I'll have to go and check now.

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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#8 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Sat Mar 30, 2019 7:14 am

I don't personally feel much of a difference that can be specifically attributed to the backlit keyboards. There is some variation between keyboard manufacturers which will have the highest impact on tactility.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#9 Post by limbrooke » Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:26 pm

Sorry to make a comment not directly related but if one upgrades to a backlit keyboard, where does the option to use the ThinkLight go - how it is accessed/enabled or is functionality lost?
Current: R51 1829-D7U 02/2017-...; T43 2668-CTO 07/2017-...; T60 2007-62U 07/2017-...; T61p 6458-CTO 08/2017-...; W530 2441-A75 09/2017-...;
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#10 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:31 am

Fn/spacebar takes care of that.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#11 Post by Brad » Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:01 am

On a T430 holding the Fn button and tapping the space bar toggles backlight and then Thinklight.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#12 Post by limbrooke » Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:59 pm

Brad wrote:
Mon Jan 06, 2020 3:01 am
On a T430 holding the Fn button and tapping the space bar toggles backlight and then Thinklight.
RealBlackStuff wrote:
Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:31 am
Fn/spacebar takes care of that.
Interesting. It makes sense given they are both accessed via the space key - thanks for that.
Current: R51 1829-D7U 02/2017-...; T43 2668-CTO 07/2017-...; T60 2007-62U 07/2017-...; T61p 6458-CTO 08/2017-...; W530 2441-A75 09/2017-...;
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#13 Post by Jake.Werecat » Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:40 am

This is how it goes:
Image
4 options available when pressing Fn+Space
1st click - low level backlight
2nd click - high level backlight
3rd click - ThinkLight
4th click - both off.

As for the feel or tactile difference, in T430 & X230 (same keyboard as W530), there's a significant difference in key texture between non-backlit and backlit keyboard non-lit have somehow rough surface, with a bit more friction, whilst lit ones are perfectly smooth. It took me a few days to adjust after upgrading the keyboard, but I enjoy writing on it.
As a side note, I loved the old pre-T420 classic keyboard with blue Enter key, but hot used to island keyboard rather quick, key design is perfectly fine for me, however I totally hate the 6-rows design and miss having all functions keys in their proper place in the top row. But as the backlit is sooo useful for me, I'm not swapping older keyboard in it. But if T420 7-row classic keyboard was available with backlight - that would be freaking awesome! It's such a pity, that no modders group came across this idea and managed to manufacturer such keyboards.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#14 Post by dr_st » Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:11 am

Jake.Werecat wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:40 am
But if T420 7-row classic keyboard was available with backlight - that would be freaking awesome! It's such a pity, that no modders group came across this idea and managed to manufacturer such keyboards.
Well, the Thinkpad 25 keyboard is 7-row classic design and backlit, so it's been proven technically possible at least.
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Re: Backlit vs non backlit keyboard, is there a tactile difference?

#15 Post by Jake.Werecat » Sat Feb 22, 2020 8:53 am

That's right. I must admit, forgot about existence of that anniversary model for a while, but that's exactly the keyboard I'd call the perfect one (well maybe besides the reversed marking on F1-F12 keys - but this is a detail).
Speaking of technical possibilities, Dell beat Lenovo on this matter, and offered backlit keyboard way back in 2009 in E6400/E4300/E4200 models, (and of course it was a classic non-chiclet keyboard), whilst it was only a dream of tomorrow when T400/T410 was produced.
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